J.D. Vance, the author of "Hillbilly Elegy" who is running for Senate in Ohio, will not speak at the Republican Party of Minnesota's event next month and is to be replaced by American Conservative Union Chair Matt Schlapp.
According to a state GOP official, although Vance was set to speak at the 2022 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner in Bloomington next month, a scheduling conflict prevents him from delivering his address.
Minnesota GOP Executive Director Mike Lonergan told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that they "look forward to hosting J.D. Vance when the schedule permits. We are excited to have the CPAC chairman, and the author of 'The Desecrators,' Matt Schlapp as our speaker and looking forward to a successful event."
The news comes after Vance faces criticism from Democrats and some members of the GOP for his remarks about Ukraine. Just before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, he told Steve Bannon on his podcast "War Room" that he thinks "it's ridiculous that we're focused on this border in Ukraine. I got to be honest with you, I don't really care what happens to Ukraine one way or the other."
He later called the invasion by Russia "a tragedy," but did not respond to The Hill's request for comment about the 2022 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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